Woman gets new position among Microsoft's elite

Zardon · Nov 8, 2002, 05:44 PM

Microsoft has hired cable-television veteran Maggie Wilderotter as senior vice president of business strategy, a new position that initially will focus on selling products to schools and governments.
Wilderotter, 47, becomes one of the highest-ranking women at Microsoft, which has been criticized by investors and others for gender inequity at its executive level. She will be the second woman in one of the company's 16 senior vice president positions.

While it may seem odd to put a player in the cable industry in charge of school and government sales, Microsoft said the move makes sense. Wilderotter's ability to forge relationships with partners and customers is key to her new position, the company said.

She will work closely with Craig Mundie, chief technical officer for advanced strategies, to develop plans for the company's business divisions.

Wilderotter "has the depth of experience to help take our business strategy to the next level," Mundie said in a statement yesterday.

more details in the forum

Zardon · Nov 8, 2002, 05:44 PM

Wilderotter was not available yesterday for comment.

Previously, Wilderotter was chief executive officer of Wink Communications, an Alameda, Calif., company developing interactive television programming and advertising. Before that, she was executive vice president of national operations for AT&T Wireless and chief executive of AT&T's aviation communications division.

Microsoft spokeswoman Stacy Drake said Wilderotter's hire was not influenced by the criticism of the lack of female executives at the company.

"We are always actively looking to recruit and promote and hire women," Drake said.

In addition to bringing professional experience to Microsoft, Wilderotter has been involved in mentoring women and promoting diversity in the cable and telecommunications industry, Drake added.

Colleagues described Wilderotter as a mover and shaker in the cable and telecommunications industries, someone who is strong, decisive and relentlessly upbeat. Wilderotter doesn't say much in meetings, colleagues said, but when she does have something to add it's usually right on target.

"I wouldn't describe her as effervescent, but she's nice to be around," said Jim Mooney, a former chief executive of the National Cable and Telecommunications Association who has known Wilderotter for about 15 years. "She has a very charming and pleasant personality. It's mostly stuff, not fluff."

Mooney, who now runs a corporate communications company in Seattle, said Wilderotter was very well respected by executives in the cable industry, which is mostly a "men's club." She recently won the most prestigious award at the industry association, a Vanguard Award, for leadership.

Rob Stoddard, a spokesman for the association, credited Wilderotter with the success of the industry's trade show this year, a time when many such shows are suffering from poor attendance. She chaired the committee that organized the show, he said.

"Maggie is one of those executives who, when faced with a challenge and problem, reaches out to as many people as she can," Stoddard said. Kim Peterson

Nov 8, 2002, 05:44 PM	#1
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 177	Woman gets new position among Microsoft's elite Microsoft has hired cable-television veteran Maggie Wilderotter as senior vice president of business strategy, a new position that initially will focus on selling products to schools and governments. Wilderotter, 47, becomes one of the highest-ranking women at Microsoft, which has been criticized by investors and others for gender inequity at its executive level. She will be the second woman in one of the company's 16 senior vice president positions. While it may seem odd to put a player in the cable industry in charge of school and government sales, Microsoft said the move makes sense. Wilderotter's ability to forge relationships with partners and customers is key to her new position, the company said. She will work closely with Craig Mundie, chief technical officer for advanced strategies, to develop plans for the company's business divisions. Wilderotter "has the depth of experience to help take our business strategy to the next level," Mundie said in a statement yesterday. more details in the forum

Nov 8, 2002, 05:44 PM	Thread Starter #2
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 177	Wilderotter was not available yesterday for comment. Previously, Wilderotter was chief executive officer of Wink Communications, an Alameda, Calif., company developing interactive television programming and advertising. Before that, she was executive vice president of national operations for AT&T Wireless and chief executive of AT&T's aviation communications division. Microsoft spokeswoman Stacy Drake said Wilderotter's hire was not influenced by the criticism of the lack of female executives at the company. "We are always actively looking to recruit and promote and hire women," Drake said. In addition to bringing professional experience to Microsoft, Wilderotter has been involved in mentoring women and promoting diversity in the cable and telecommunications industry, Drake added. Colleagues described Wilderotter as a mover and shaker in the cable and telecommunications industries, someone who is strong, decisive and relentlessly upbeat. Wilderotter doesn't say much in meetings, colleagues said, but when she does have something to add it's usually right on target. "I wouldn't describe her as effervescent, but she's nice to be around," said Jim Mooney, a former chief executive of the National Cable and Telecommunications Association who has known Wilderotter for about 15 years. "She has a very charming and pleasant personality. It's mostly stuff, not fluff." Mooney, who now runs a corporate communications company in Seattle, said Wilderotter was very well respected by executives in the cable industry, which is mostly a "men's club." She recently won the most prestigious award at the industry association, a Vanguard Award, for leadership. Rob Stoddard, a spokesman for the association, credited Wilderotter with the success of the industry's trade show this year, a time when many such shows are suffering from poor attendance. She chaired the committee that organized the show, he said. "Maggie is one of those executives who, when faced with a challenge and problem, reaches out to as many people as she can," Stoddard said. Kim Peterson